Thermal flowmeter



Dec. 27, 1955 H. E. sKlBn-zKE THERMAL FLOWMETER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March l2, 1955 mgm c; fm. m4

om *K N`\ m Nm mw @www NMMQN \,\\\\\\\\\N\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ I Y mhllmmmulllllldlmmv I i I .MMM .\\\\\\\\W|\\\ ma w\ mw? 5 hm wm De. 27, 1955 H. E. sKlBlTzKE THERMAL FLOWMETER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 12, 1953 THERMAL FLWMETER Herbert E. Skibitzke, Phoenix, Ariz. Application March 12, 1953, Serial No. 342,040 2 Claims. (Cl. 73-204) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon in accordance with the provisions of the Act of April 30, 1928 (Ch. 460, 45 Stat. L. 467).

This invention relates to apparatus for the measurement of fluid flow, and particularly relates to iiuid iiow measuring devices utilizing thermally sensitive resistance elements and adapted to be lowered into well bores, casings and the like.

Many diiculties have been encountered in attempting to log the fluid tiow in Wells with the devices heretofore available. Some of these devices are so large and contain so much auxiliary equipment that they cannot be lowered through small openings and are totally unsuitable for use in pumping wells where clearances may be as small as one inch.

Recently, a small thermally sensitive resistor element of the semi-conductor type known to the trade as a thermstor has been employed in ow indicators. An electrical current may be passed through such an element at a constant voltage whereby it is heated to a temperature higher than ambient temperature. The rate of heat dissipation from the element and accordingly the temperature attained by the resistance element is proportional to the velocity of flow of fluid past the element. The change in current flowing in the circuit as the resistance of the thermally sensitive element changes with temperature may be used as a measure of ow velocity. However, such a device is limited to the measurement of flow over a small velocity range and usually is suitable for measurement of low velocities only. It is necessary to employ a comparatively high constant voltage to obtain measurable variations in the high velocity range. With this high voltage a large change in resistance due to a sharp drop in the velocity of uid flow may cause the sensitive thermal element to be damaged. Moreover, the characteristics of the resistance element may change over a wide velocity range and correspondingly wide current range. At low values of current Ohms law is generally obeyed by thermstor elements, whereas at higher currents they may depart from Ohms law, thus introducing the possibility of error in the interpretation of readings of the measuring instruments.

A11 object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described which is adapted to be used over a wide range of velocities of iiuid iiow.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for measuring fluid tiow having a How-sensitive element which may be lowered into a pumping well between the pump bowls and the well casing or wall, and which is especially adapted to measure the high velocities found in pumped wells. v. Another object of this invention is to provide an `apparatus for measuring uid liow whereby a continuous log of fluid ow past a given point in a well bore or nited States Patent() 2 throughout the entire depth of the well bore may be recorded.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for measuring Huid flow whereby the velocity and the direction of liuid tiow may be quickly and accurately determined.

Another object of the invention is to provide uid ow measuring apparatus employing an electrical resistance element commonly known as a thermistor, in combination with other elements whereby the apparatus is adapted to accurately measure high as well as low rates of fluid tlow and whereby such small electrical currents ow through the thermstor that there is no danger of damage ot this element.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of thermally sensitive proble unit adapted to be lowered into a well bore.

Figure 1A is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 1A-1A of Figure 1.

Figure 2 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram showing a measuring circuit which may be employed with the thermally sensitive unit of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram of a circuit adapted to be employed for the continuous recording of fiuid iiow in response to signals from the thermally sensitive unit of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the invention and shows a thermally sensitive probe unit which is adapted to measure both the direction and the velocity of llow.

The apparatus of this invention, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a small thermally sensitive unit, designated herein as a probe unit, which is adapted to be lowered into a well bore by means of a long cable. The probe unit contains a thermally sensitive element of the semi-conductor type known to the trade as a thermistor, and a separate resistance heating unit. The cable attached to the probe unit carries electrical conductors for providing electrical energy to the thermstor and to the heating element from suitable sources of power at the surface ofthe ground. The electrical circuit including the thermstor is connected to measuring and indicating means capable of operating with such a small amount of current flowing that there is no appreciable heating of the thermstor element.

Referring now to Figures l and 1A, which illustrate a probe unit suitable for the purposes of this invention, a housing is shown at 10 for heating element 11 and thermstor 12. The housing 10 may be cylindrical, as shown, or may be of any other convenient shape. It may be made of brass or other suitable material. Preferably the housing 10 is of very small size so that it may pass through small clearances, as between the bowls of a pump and the wall or casing-of a well. For example, the housing may be about 5%; inch in diameter and several inches in length.

The thermstor 12, which may, for example, be a type 14a Western Electric unit having the form of a small capsule, as shown, is contained within cavity 13 of a cylindrical metal block 14 which threadedly engages the bore of the housing 10 as at 15. The forward end of the housing is closed `by plug 16 which threadedly engages the housing bore at 17. A washer 18 of lead or other sealing material provides a water tight seal for the forward end of the housing. Means, such as hole 19, are provided in plug 16 for insertion of a tool therethrough whereby the plug'may be drawn tight.

The hole 19 also permits weights to be attached to the awa-8,225

probe unit when it is necessaryfto addvweighthto Astabilize thepilav unitiir a`w-elliiowing at high velocity. The plug 16 may be rounded as shown at 2t) in order to facilitate its entrance vinto small openings;I y Y The heating element il which may, for exampleg-be-a ModelgSOO, 1A, 30 watt Regan resistance heater iscontained within a sleeve 214 which-also iits tightly within-the bore-of housing 1i); This element may-also-b'e of cylindrical shape as shown'. It is understood-ithat--the element il may comprise a coil of resistance wire-such as-nichrome wire insulated within a metal housing.- A-sleeve ZZhclds heating element l1 und sleeve-Z1 wit-hin-the-housing lil and is in turn secured by means of ring=235=rubber gasket 24, and plugZS which-threadedlyengages the housing 1) at26. A washer- 27 may also-be provided at this end of the assembly,

A cable ZS which maybe.for-example,-several-thousand feet in length4 carries the electrical conductors-for heating element l1 and thermistor-12.- T-he-end-of this-cable is inserted in to the housing-iti through-a suitable :opening Zlin plug 25. Rubber gasket 24 holds the cable-secure Within the housing andfor-ms af Water tight seal-du'e to pressure applied between ringlZ- andthe forward-end 30 of the plug Z when this plug is drawn tighti Thiscable carries a lead 3l-whichisconnected-to the-fthermistor'u. it is understood that lead 3l may contain-two wires as shown at SZand 33. Alterna-tive1y,-one wire fromfthermister l2 could be grounded to the metal block 14-'of the probe unit. Thecircuit will befurther described hereinafter in connection4 with- Figures 2 and 3.l The sleeve 2.2 is providedwith an opening. 34 which cornmunicates with a slot 35 in sleeve- 21 whereby the lead 31 may by-pass theheating-unit l-land make-connection with thermistor 12. The cable 28l also carries leads 36 and 37 which connect with the resistance coil-within heating element-11;

Referring now to theV circuit diagramof Figure 2,- the heating unit 1l is shown to be connected through lead's36 and 37, switch 38 and millammeter 39 to a variable voltage source 4t2. Itis understood that-the latte'r units would be located at the surface ofthe ground represented by broken line 41,- and that the leads may be in' several thousand feet-of cable as-the case may be. The variable voltage source may bein the formof a battery composed of a number ofcells which may be selectively connected in the circuit, as shown, or may lie-provided from-'portable generators, or from a permanent source having suitable means for varying the voltage.- Means for varying' the voltage through a range of, for example, to 150 volts may suitably be used. By addingl o'r substractingL-voltage, it is possible to iind a heat range suitable for the-'particular water velocities involved. Thus?, in logging a well which is not being .pumped andin which relatively' low velocities are encountered, 'a relatively l'ow voltage may'.- be applied-across the heating' unit, whereasin-logginghighvelocity or pumping wells a` higher vol-'tgenay bei-useda The heating unit may suitably have a`resistance in the'Z-S to 300 ohm range.-

In order to avoid heating! thethermistor 12" with the measuring circuit, it is necessary t use-some meansfo'p'erl ating upon very smallV currents. In the modificationV shown-` in Figure 2, this is accomplished by use of a Wheats'tone bridge unit at the ground level in whichE avcuurntubevoltrneter replaces the usual galvanorneter. Thermis'tor l2 in the probe unit for-ins one legi of the Wheatstone' bridge, and is connected thereto by means of leads `S11-and 33 and switch 42.- Resi-starice 43 for-nis a second legt-ofv the bridge, onc of resistances fifi and fl5^forms-atlii-'xfd-leg,y and slide Wire resistance-46 an'd decade-unit- 47 for-iaiL fourth leg. A- small diree't current-is provided Vcriss'- titte4 bridge by means of battery 4% through ldds'- 49:"a'n'd Si)` and switch 51. A-suitll'evcuiim tibei'vl't'rnwteSfs' connected-@rerun nie eppdsit ena entire bridge by means ofleadsSS' and S4;V

The resistor' 43 acts as the' s'ttdrii slistn folie" balancedc Resistors 44 and 45 act as multipliers, slide Wire reslstor 464and-decade unit 47 measure the resistance of the thermistor multiplied lby the factor oi the setting of resistances 44 and 45. For example, when the vacuum tube voltmeter 52 reads zero, the position of the indicator arms 5S and S6 give the resistance of the thermistor. Thus, a very accurate determination of this resistance may be made. Satisfactory operation may beobtained with the battery 48 supplying 223/2 volts, a resistance 43 of l megohm, resistance 44`-of 10,000 ohms and resistance 4S of 1 megohm, slide wire resistance 46 of.10,000 ohm range, and a decade unit 47 Vhaving 19,000 ohm steps. At the low values of current-inthe thermistor'circuit, @hms law is obeyed by the thermistor resistance.

Iii the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the probe unit is lowered the desired distance into the well and is then stopped. The switch 3S is closed completing the circuit-,to theheating element.. Afterequilibrium has been reached Witli' th'ef voltage"- througlr the: heating? unit adjusted to. the desired value, .the switchesAZand 51' inl the thermistorl circuit are closed, and: the: resistancesl 46 and 47 are varied until thevacuumztubevoltmeter 52 reads. zero. The thermistor resistance as indicated by the Vposition-offindicator armsf 55 and 56 isl recorded forth'isfpoint. 'lhep'robe unitrnay beleftiatlthis-position in the well. and-checked periodically at` spaced'time'intervals in order. to--log the-change inv velocities at this point with. respect to time, or it may be lowered another increment of distance-into the well in order to-*obtain a-velocity-depth log. The-rate-oheat dissipationtrom the unit and consequently the temperature of the thermistor and thermistor resistance changes in proportion to velocity changes. Thus, migh high velocitythe' rate offbeat dissipation is high and the temperature of the-thermistor element is correspondingly low. The resistance ofv the thermistorv therefore increases 'at-higher velocities: of dow. However, with the device ofthis'inventionthe thermistor element never carries sutiicientcrrent to' damagev it since it' does not have to serve asbothfafheatingandmeasuring means.

Another moditicationofthe measuring circuit is=shown in: Figure 3. This circuit:isvparticularly adapted' for con'- tinuous recording of changes: of resistancerin the thermistor 1-2- whereby continuous logging of-a Well may be accomplished. The heater 121 zisfshownconnected by leads 36 an`d 37 toa 1-'l0v. A. C. powerisourc'elabove the ground' levelV 411-. I-t isl to bte-'understood that a variable powersource asl/in the circuit of FigurelZ may' also be used'. Leads 32 and: 33 in the thermistorcircuit connect thermisten 1'2v to a' direct? current sourcefsuch as battery 57; Current owfrom batteryI 57 through the thermistor 12.l is' limited bymeans of resistance 58v which is large conipa'edfto thel'resistance'of theftherr'nistor so that the effect ofchangesroflresista'nce; ini this unit upon the circuit are' small. vFori example, the: :batteryEyT may supply 45volts, the -resistance- 58"r may` be4A 750,006 ohms and the thermis-` torfmay have a resistance of severaif thousand ohms at the' temperature-involved'.- Alti the small values of current' employed,.0hrnsl law is obeyedb'y' the' thermistor. The thermistor circuit also includes switch 59`and groundI 60.

Inv order to'measu'e the small changes in resistance of the thermistorl 12, the voltage dropv across'- the thermistor is-appliedbetweenground'l-and' a-p'o'int 62 and is utilized: to control the grid potential of a rst stage difference amplifier tube 63h Current'V limiting resistance 64`preve`nts overloadingfof thett-ubecircuit; Alternating currentt vcoin'- ponents are removed fiom theY circuit' bymeans ofcoudenser 65 cinecteito ground' 61` By use' of a suitable resistance 66: the gridpctental's of: grids 618" and 69 are unbalced'wla'en current is flowing in the circuit; The potential df' grid" lis ired by means' of a suitable resistance''i; but rheputetiallufgrin 68' clra'n'ges as the current' changes across resistance 6'6'.

Tharpli'ier tube-.631s ro'vided with a' suitable plate currentrcma source-'mimica Inayi provide 90 v. D. C.,. as strewn, and' a' attenti is cempletecr through tube 63^ and resistances 71 and 72 to ground at 73. The voltage level at point 74 remains substantially constant, but the voltage level at point 75 varies in response to variations of the potential of the grid 68. By means of vacuum tubes 76 and 77 controlled by grids 78 and 79 the diierences in these voltages are amplified. Grid biasing resistor 80 raises the level of grids 78 and 79 to the same point as at 74 and 75.

A circuit is completed from ground 73 through biasing resistor 80, tube 76 and resistance 81 to positive terminal 82. A similar circuit is completed through tube 77 and parallel resistances 83 and 84 to positive terminal 82. The resistance 84 is variable in order to provide means for adjustment to compensate for slight differences in tube characteristics. The voltage drop across resistances 83 and 84 is substantially constant, whereas, the voltage drop across resistance 81 is variable depending upon the current from tube 76. A continuous. recording milliammeter 85 is connected across the plates of tubes 76 and 77. As the voltages change across resistance 81 the' milliammeter records the change. This recording is directly proportioned to changes in the resistance of the thermistor 12. An O-l MA Esterline Augus Recorder has been found suitable as a recording instrument in this circuit. It will be understood, however, that any continuous recording instrument of similar function may be used.

The use of a heating unit separate from the thermister as in the probe unit of this invention gives a nearly linear relationship between the velocity of the water and the resistance of the thermistor. It is to be understood that the instrument may be calibrated with respect to known velocities of ow so that the actual velocity of ow, as well as the relative velocity, may be determined from the recordings made. The heating element in the probe is relatively rugged and is substantially unaffected by the change in heat dissipation rate due to changes in flow velocities encountered. The thermistor element is subjected to a current flow of only a few milliamperes over the entire range of velocities, which may, for example, include velocities encountered in a well flowing at a rate of 4,000 gallons per minute in a 16-inch bore.

Since the resistance of the thermistor varies with the ambient temperature, the unit may also be employed to measure the temperature at various positions in the well bore. ln such use, it is not necessary to pass an electrical current through the heating element. Either of the circuits of Figures 2 and 3 may be used to determine the thermistor resistance.

In the modiiication of the invention shown in Figure 4, a probe unit is provided which measures the velocity of fluid ow and also indicates the direction of ow. This unit consists of a small hollow tube 100 containing a cylindrical heating element 101, of smaller diameter, supported by suitable means as shown at 102. Insulated electrical conductors 103 and 104 for heater 101 pass through an opening in the outer tube 100 and are further insulated from the metal thereof by insulated plug 105. The conductors are carried by a suitable length of cable 106 which may be clamped to the probe unit by clamp 107, as shown, or otherwise suitably aixed. In this device two thermistors are employed, one on each side of the heating unit. Thus, thermistor 108 is positioned within a bushing, nipple, or the like, 109 so that its tip projects into the stream of iluid flowing in the tube 100. Line 110 connects the thermistor through cable 106 to a measuring circuit. It will be understood that line 110 is insulated and may carry two conductors. Water proof plastic material 111 holds the thermistor 108 firmly within the bushing 109 and also provides a water proof seal for the electrical connections. n the other side of the heating element 101, another thermistor 112 is similarly held within a bushing 113 by water proof plastic 114. Insulated line 115, containing two conductors, connect this thermistor through .cable `106 to a suitable measuring circuit.

The principle of operation of the `directional probe is' similar to that of the nondirectional probe previously described, except that two thermistors and a hollow tube are employed. By using the hollow tube, only one component of motion of the surrounding uid stream affects the rate of heat dissipation. A small quantity of fluid Hows through the tube in a direction of the general ow of surrounding tluid. The fluid tlowing within the tube is heated as it passes over the heating unit and its tempera turewill vary inversely with its velocity of ow. Thus, the resistance of one of the thermistors will drop because of the increase in temperature of the fluid ilowing by it over the heater and the thermistor measuring circuits will register diiferent resistances. By observing which thermistor resistance is the lowest, the direction of flow can be ascertained. The change in resistance of the changing element can be rated to indicate the velocity of How as in the nondirectional probe unit described above. For example,if the iiuid iiow is through the hollow tube 1'00 vfrom left to right, `the temperature of the fluid at the thermistor 112 will be higher than that at thermistor 108. For increasing velocity in this direction, the temperature of the fluid will decrease and the measuring circuit will indicate the change.

It is understood that the thermistors in the directional type probe may be individually connected to measuring circuits such as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. By use of a suitable switch, the Wheatstone bridge of Figure 2 could be connected first to one thermistor and then to the other. Continuous recording circuits may also be utilized that measure differences between the resistances of the two thermistors, and this difference may be rated in terms of velocity.

While the ow measuring apparatus of this invention may be utilized for measuring the ow of many types of fluids, in wells, pipes, streams, and the like, it is particularly advantageous in the measurement of water velocities in deep wells. The small size of the probe unit permits it to be lowered into an operating well between the pump column and bowls and the well casing, Without removing the pump and, if desired, while the pump is running. The probe is cheap, simple, and easy to construct and therefore may be considered expendable. Itis highly accurate even over the wide ranges of water velocities found in pumping wells.

It will be appreciated from a reading of the foregoing specification that the invention herein described is susceptible of various changes and modications without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A meter for measuring velocity of iluid owing past the meter, comprising a heat conductive metallic tubular casing closed at both ends to form a housing impervious to the iiuid, a heating element including a resistance coil disposed within the housing in thermal contact therewith whereby the heat is conducted from the heating element to the housing and from the housing to the uid at a rate proportionate to the velocity of ilow of the fluid around the housing, a thermally sensitive resistor disposed in a metallic block within the housing in spaced relation to the heating element and in thermal contact with the housing and heating element, an electric circuit passing from the heating element exteriorly through one end of the housing to generate heat at the desired rate, an electric circuit extending from the thermally sensitive resistor exteriorly through said end of the housing to a source of xed voltage adapted to cause flow of a current of electricity too small to substantially heat the thermally sensitive resistor, and means for indicating the resulting small changes of resistance of the thermally sensitive resistor whereby changes in the velocity of fluid around the housing are observed.

2. A meter for measuring velocity of uid owing past the meter, comprising a heat conductive metallic tubular casing closed at both ends to form a housing impervious 7 to the Atiuiclj a -heating element including` a resistance` coil disposewith'in th'ehousiug; a'tubularsleeveiof heat' com ductive material interposed' between the heating element and the'housing to conduct-'heat fromv the heating ele-4 mentto the' housing 'whereby the heat iscouductedv away from the housing'ata' rate proportionateto the velocity of ow of' the `uid'around thehousiug; a metallic block Within"tl1`e"housiug in thermal `contact therewithand'with the adjoiningieud'ofthe'sleeve'audihaving a^cavity op'eu` ihgtoward the sleeve; thesleve having a slot communi= eating withthe' ca'vityand"with4 thebore of the sleeve; a thermally sensitivefresistork disposed within' the' cavity, an electric' circuit passing from' the" heating element throughvthebore ofzthesleoveand exteriorly through one end'of'the housing to generate heatat the desiredlrat, an electric circuit extendiugrfrom the thermally sensitive resistorith'rougli the slot into thebore offthesleeve and exteriorly, tlirouglisaidzendofthe; housing to. a sourceiof xed.voltageadaptedltofcause fl'owfofa current of-'electricity too small'to"substantl1yheat thethermallvsensitive resistor; and; means `frii1dicatii1g' theresultingsmall changes of resistanceA of the thermally sensitive resistor wherebyclianges rtle velocity ofw of uidf around the housing' areA observed.

Rfrences cited inthe iofz this paient l UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 2,377,832

GTI-IER REFERENCES` Elermi'stors, Their Characteristics aud Uses,A G.y L. Pearson, B'ell 'Ilaboratories nRecord, December 1940', .pp. 1064111.

SrialN; 332,488; Mrtienssen (A. PQ C), published My 4,` 19431 

